All Countries and All Sectors

Having ended 2011 on a high, with its economy growing at break-neck speed, inflation under control and a stepped-up programme of infrastructure investments being rolled out, Qatar is well placed to continue similar growth this year. Yet with the spectre of recession hanging heavy in the air in Europe, and a scaling back of expectations in some major Asian economies, the country may find that in 2012 many of its achievements are consolidated rather than eclipsed.

Sarawak’s economy thrived in 2011, with record inflows of investment and a revving of the state’s growth engines sparked by projects such as the Bakun Dam and the Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (SCORE).

As hydrocarbons production in maturing blocks has declined and domestic energy consumption has increased, the Indonesian government has been looking for ways to boost investment in the country’s upstream oil and gas sector. Some of the measures the government has undertaken have proved effective at attracting investors, including increased incentives and a more flexible production sharing contract (PSC) framework introduced in 2008. However, regulations that were implemented in early January 2011 may have the opposite effect.

The banking industry looks set for a period of consolidation and belt tightening, with many of Dubai’s analysts predicting an easing of profits and an increase in non-performing loans (NPLs) for the near term. Though mergers and restructuring by some local lenders is expected to produce a leaner sector, it should also become stronger and thus better able to meet the demands of the rapidly changing financial landscape.

Key elements of Abu Dhabi’s economic diversification programme, including the development of the emirate’s manufacturing base, are moving ahead as planned, with the government reiterating its commitment to encourage investment and diversification.

L’économie marocaine a continué à afficher de bons résultats au troisième trimestre 2011, avec une croissance légèrement moins soutenue qu’aux trimestres précédents mais dépassant tout de même de loin ses voisins européens au nord. L’inflation s’est également établie à un niveau très bas ces derniers mois.